(more from above)
In public appearances during the state visit, Obama and Hollande are expected to focus on areas where U.S.-French priorities are visibly in sync, such as in efforts to resolve nuclear concerns in Iran, a civil war in Syria and extremism in Africa. Mutual interests such as combating climate change and securing a trade deal between the U.S. and Europe will also be messages the two will seek to highlight.
“A decade ago, few would have imagined our two countries working so closely together in so many ways. But in recent years our alliance has transformed,” Obama and Hollande wrote in a joint op-ed in the Washington Post and France’s Le Monde. “We are sovereign and independent nations that make our decisions based on our respective national interests. Yet we have been able to take our alliance to a new level because our interests and values are so closely aligned.”
The French opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
Hollande’s state visit continues into Tuesday, when he’ll be greeted at the White House with trumpet fanfares and a 21-gun salute. Following his meetings with Obama, the leaders will hold a joint news conference, then don tuxedos for a state dinner feting Hollande.
http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/02/10/french-leader-opens-unusual-state-visit-to-us/
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. . . meanwhile Le Figaro posts a front-page retraction of its Beyoncé-Obama liaison rumor:
Obama/Beyoncé : le paparazzi français Pascal Rostain se rétracte
http://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/2014/02/10/03004-20140210ARTFIG00155-un-celebre-paparazzi-francais-promet-un-scoop-mondial-sur-barack-obama-et-beyonce.php#xtor=AL-155
= new reply since forum marked as read